1) Yes, it's a YA book, but it is so different than anything else in the YA market right now. There were multiple points-of-view (including an adult POV), and they were all in third person. Which, based on the totally creepy factor of the novel, set up the story perfectly.

2) The creepy factor...172 HOURS ON THE MOON was basically a horror story. About some kids who get sent to the moon for a big publicity thing. And of course everything that can go wrong does because there is something hunting them on the moon.

3) And people die. Lots of people. Like die and don't come back to life. I actually adore how the book was willing to take this chance and do this.

4) And though the ending totally threw me (like came out of nowhere!), it fit perfectly with the novel. I'm not sure what other ending would have actually worked quite as well.

172 HOURS ON THE MOON is the kind of book you finish reading and *immediately* want to discuss with your friends. It would make the perfect book club read (wait - we can read this for the boys' book club I run!). With the various points-of-view, it's great for boys and girls, 6th grade and up. And given its strong sci-fi element, it's equally appealing to adults. Definitely recommended if you want to take a break from the standard YA novel and read something totally different!

Source of book: From publisher at trade show

From Amazon:

It's been decades since anyone set foot on the moon. Now three ordinary teenagers, the winners of NASA's unprecedented, worldwide lottery, are about to become the first young people in space--and change their lives forever.
Mia, from Norway, hopes this will be her punk band's ticket to fame and fortune.
Midori believes it's her way out of her restrained life in Japan.
Antoine, from France, just wants to get as far away from his ex-girlfriend as possible.
It's the opportunity of a lifetime, but little do the teenagers know that something sinister is waiting for them on the desolate surface of the moon. And in the black vacuum of space... no one is coming to save them.
In this chilling adventure set in the most brutal landscape known to man, highly acclaimed Norwegian novelist Johan Harstad creates a vivid and frightening world of possibilities we can only hope never come true.

PJH: Okay, so it’s been 1 year since you graduated from your debut class. Personally, I miss the heck out of knowing what my classmates are up to. So give us the low-down. What have you been up to in the last few years? New books? New degrees? New pets? What has been going on, and what do we have to look forward to from you in the future?

AS: I've mostly been writing since graduation--and not much else. My second book, THE FORGETTING CURVE, came out in May of this year. It's the sequel to my debut, MEMENTO NORA. I'm working on revisions to the third book in the series, THE MEME PLAGUE, which should come out next spring. I've also sold several short stories, including "The Actuarian" and "The Long Glorious Now of Max Madden" in Odyssey. Oh, and I got two new cats, who are almost 2 years old now.

PJH: If you could summarize to a debut novelist the best part of being a member of a debut author group, what would you say?

AS: The best part(s) are
(1) you don't go through the experience alone, and
(2) you can reach more readers than you can on your own.

You may have the support of family and friends, but they don't understand the fears, frustrations, and joys of this business. Other debuts do because they're going through the exact same thing. You need someone who gets it to vent to and/or get advice from. As for the marketing, our class set up a week long trip to NYC during BEA. That and the exposure to other opportunities (blogs, interviews, etc.) made the whole experience invaluable.

PJH: Though I absolutely loved being a debut author, I’m really thrilled with all the experience I’ve gained since. What advice would you give to those who are debuting now? What do you wish you had known when you started out?

Put your energy into writing another book. You have zero control over reviews (and the average reader doesn't care about them), and you have only a smidge more control over sales. You have do some marketing, but don't go overboard. (Psst. No one knows what really works--except having a publisher that puts big bucks into your promotion. And most authors don't have that luxury.)

PJH: In addition to writing the next mega-million bestselling novel, what do you want to accomplish in the next five years? Do you want to write five more books? Get your black belt in Kung Fu? Walk the Great Wall of China? Let’s hear it.

AS: Of course, I'd like to write several more books, but I don't think my back can take writing a book a year for 5 more years. What else? I would like to go to London. Maybe lose 30 lbs. ;)

PJH: Thank you so much for being here! And good luck with everything in the future!

***

BIO:
Angie Smibert was born in Blacksburg, a once sleepy college town in the mountains of Southwest Virginia. She grew up thinking she wanted to be a veterinarian; organic chemistry had other ideas. But she always had stories in her head. Eventually, after a few degrees and few cool jobs—including a 10-year stint at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center—she wrote some of those stories down.
She’s published many short stories, for both adults and teens. (You can read some of them here on her author site.)

***

Thanks for helping me celebrate former debuts! And if you are a former debut and are interested in being featured, check out this post here!

The good news? The buzz is all deserved! The even better news? I loved this book!

Read this book because...

1) It's LOGAN'S RUN meets BRAVE NEW WORLD. I know! Two of my very favorite stories meet!

2) The writing is tight and completely engaging. This is one I didn't want to put down (and didn't) until I was done.

3) I seriously love the main character Perry. He's cool, tough, in control, and tender all wrapped into one awesome guy. How much more could any girl ask for?

4) Yes, there was awesome romance. But there was also an incredible plot that would have kept me reading even if the romance hadn't been there. This one had the feel of a real science-fiction story (my first true love in books), and for this I'm going to give it two thumbs up!

5) Did I mention BRAVE NEW WORLD and LOGAN'S RUN? Right. Enough said. If you like either of these stories, then UNDER THE NEVER SKY is for you!

In short, yes, I'd read the sequel to this one in a heartbeat! Highly recommended for kids 7th grade and up, boys and girls, fans of dystopian and science-fiction who want more!

Source of book: From publisher at ALA Midwinter

From Amazon:

Since she’d been on the outside, she’d survived an Aether storm, she’d had a knife held to her throat, and she’d seen men murdered. This was worse.
Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland—known as The Death Shop—are slim. If the cannibals don’t get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She’s been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He’s wild—a savage—and her only hope of staying alive.
A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile—everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria’s help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.
In her enthralling debut, Veronica Rossi sends readers on an unforgettable adventure set in a world brimming with harshness and beauty.

***

And now for our giveaway! It's easy to win! Two things to note...

1) This giveaway is open until 12:01 am on August 4, 20122) Contest is US only!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

I know I've been kind of scarce here on the blog the last few weeks, but that's because I just got back from 3 weeks up in Virginia (DC area) and Pennsylvania (Osceola Mills, central PA). As always, the whole trip was a blast! As for Pennsylvania, we video taped random fun bits of stuff that I plan to roll into a scary video, but until then, here is my trip to Osceola Mills in pictures!

First, I had a blast Trap Shooting with a .12 gauge shotgun. Fun stuff! I hit 8, missed a couple (or more), and can't wait to do it again!

Next, while on a walk, we ran across a baby rattlesnake in the road. It was not the scariest thing we saw on the walk.

Of course, we had to roast marshmallows. And for that, we needed an awesome fire! And gobs of marshmallows. And sticks.

One cannot go to Osceola Mills around the 4th without visiting the car show. I found a couple possibilities for my next automobile...

Thursday, July 19, 2012

This week brings two former debuts, and today's happens to be one from my very own debut class, the wonderful Jenny Meyerhoff. If you haven't read Jenny's debut book, THIRD GRADE BABY, you are missing out. It is a real treat and great for those elementary school readers of yours!

PJH: Okay, so it’s been 4 years since you graduated from your debut class. Personally, I miss the heck out of knowing what my classmates are up to. So give us the low-down. What have you been up to in the last few years? New books? New degrees? New pets? What has been going on, and what do we have to look forward to from you in the future?

JM: I’ve published two other books since my debut, QUEEN OF SECRETS in 2010 and SAMI'S SLEEPAWAY SUMMER in 2012. I wish I could say other really exciting things have happened to me, but the truth is my life has been quite steady and normal. My kids are growing up and doing their own neat things. I keep chugging along with my writing. And really, I think that’s just the way I wanted it.

Next year I’ve got a middle grade coming out called The Barftastic Life of Louie Burger.

PJH: If you could summarize to a debut novelist the best part of being a member of an author group like the “Class of” groups, what would you say?

JM: It was a great experience all around. On a personal level, I really appreciated being able to commiserate with others going through the same scary, exciting, confusing rush of a debut book release. On a professional level, I loved the way our group pitched panels for conferences together. I’ve done conferences on my own, but I prefer being part of a panel! Plus I got to go to conferences I wouldn’t have gone to on my own.

PJH: Though I absolutely loved being a debut author, I’m really thrilled with all the experience I’ve gained since. What advice would you give to those who are debuting now? What do you wish you had known when you started out?

JM: Don’t compare yourself to other authors. Your career will unfold at its own pace. Don’t worry so much about marketing. Do what you can, it will be enough. Focus on the writing and write your next book.

PJH: In addition to writing the next mega-million bestselling novel, what do you want to accomplish in the next five years? Do you want to write five more books? Get your black belt in Kung Fu? Walk the Great Wall of China? Let’s hear it.

JM: I would love to continue to write and publish books. I’d like to write five solid picture books, three more middle grade novels and a young adult novel too. I’d love to be more consistent in both my yoga and meditation practices. I don’t really have any other big goals. I’d like to be open to the opportunities and experiences that come my way, even if I didn’t expect them.

PJH: Anything else you want to add? Five reasons to read your book? A picture of your writing space? How you celebrated when you signed your contract? Your choice!

JM: The best gift I was ever given is this: my husband offered me an empty room in his office to use as my writing space. It’s quite cozy (read small) but when I enter the room and close the door the world disappears and all that exists is me and my book.

Cozy = Awesome!

PJH: Thank you so much for being here! And good luck with everything in the future!

JM: Thank you for having me!

***

Bio: Jenny Meyerhoff is the author of two chapter books, Sami’s Sleepaway Summer, a PJ Library Selection, and Third Grade Baby, one of Instructor Magazines best back to school books of 2008. She is also the author of the young adult novel Queen of Secrets, a Sydney Taylor notable book. Jenny studied creative writing at University of Michigan and Education at Northwestern University. In addition to being a writer she has been a teacher, a hostess, a lifeguard and a mom. Jenny lives in Riverwoods, Illinois with her husband and three children and regularly uses their adventures in her books.

***

Thanks for helping me celebrate former debuts! And if you are a former debut and are interested in being featured, check out this post here!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I'm stoked to introduce you guys to this week's former debut, Carrie Harris!

And please stick around because there is a giveaway of Carrie's debut novel!

I adore Carrie's bio, so I'm going to put that first...

Bio: Carrie Harris is a geek-of-all-trades and proud of it. Brains are her specialty; she used to work in a lab where they were delivered daily by FedEx. After that, it seemed only natural to write a zombie book–BAD TASTE IN BOYS. Another Kate Grable adventure, BAD HAIR DAY, will be on the shelves in 2012, followed by the start of a new series, DEMON DERBY. Carrie lives in Michigan with her ninja-doctor husband and three monster-obsessed children. She is the president of the Class of 2k11, a marketing group for young adult and middle grade writers, and a repeat judge for the Cybils awards.

PJH: Okay, so it’s been a year since you graduated from your debut class. Personally, I miss the heck out of knowing what my classmates are up to. So give us the low-down. What have you been up to in the last year? New books? New degrees? New pets? What has been going on, and what do we have to look forward to from you in the future?

CH: Let’s see. In the past year, I got a new zombie penguin (her name is Cockeyed), and I finally started cleaning out my basement. (Notice that I didn’t FINISH cleaning out the basement. But I’ll take the progress.) I tried to phonetically learn the words to Amadeus by Falco and failed. And I sold two more books! BAD HAIR DAY, the second book in the Kate Grable series, comes out in November, and Demon Derby, which begins a new series, comes out on a mystery date after that. No, really. It’s a mystery to me too.

PJH: If you could summarize to a debut novelist the best part of being a member of an author group like the “Class of” groups, what would you say?

CH: Everyone always says the people, don’t they? Because the people are awesome, and it’s like having a writing family, and all of a sudden, it’s like you’re not alone with all your debut year neuroses. You end up with lifelong friends through a group like this. Those things are totally indispensible, but I bet everyone says that. So I’m going to say that the best part is the groupies.

PJH: Though I absolutely loved being a debut author, I’m really thrilled with all the experience I’ve gained since. What advice would you give to those who are debuting now? What do you wish you had known when you started out?

CH: I wish I would have realized that yes, marketing is important, but the most important element of marketing is to HAVE FUN. If you’re not having fun with a particular marketing bit, don’t do it! People respond to you when you’re real and genuinely interested in having a conversation with them, not when you’re posting the obligatory daily tweet about how they should buy your book. They also like it when you post pictures of your bad high school hairstyles. And I have SO MANY of them.

PJH: In addition to writing the next mega-million bestselling novel, what do you want to accomplish in the next five years? Do you want to write five more books? Get your black belt in Kung Fu? Walk the Great Wall of China? Let’s hear it.

CH: I do want to write a book each year, and I’d love to branch out into other age groups. I’ve got a MG novel that I’m itching to pursue. I also plan to skate, even if it’s just once, with a roller derby team. I was going to call myself Concealed Carrie, which is supposed to be a firearm reference, except that I’m worried it makes me sound like a flasher. It doesn’t, does it? And if it does, is that bad?

PJH: Anything else you want to add? Five reasons to read your book? A picture of your writing space? How you celebrated when you signed your contract? Your choice!

CH: I write in a bathtub full of Cheetos.

Actually, I’m kidding. But now I’m thinking it might be worth trying. My favorite color is orange, and I like Cheetos. Aw, heck. Now I’m hungry.

PJH: Thank you so much for being here! And good luck with everything in the future!

CH: Thank you for having me! You are la awesome!

***

Thanks for helping me celebrate former debuts! And if you are a former debut and are interested in being featured, check out this post here!

***

And now for our giveaway! It's easy to win! Two things to note...

1) This giveaway is open until 12:01 am on July 28, 20122) Contest is US only!

I'll be there on a panel with fellow Austin author K. A. Holt and special guest Beth Revis! We'll be talking about all things science fiction and writing for kids and teens. We promise cookies and treats, so bring yourself, bring your friends, bring your neighbors.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The great thing about traveling to conferences and shows is that I get to meet so many awesome authors! I was able to meet this author a couple years ago at BEA, not at the show, but walking around the streets of New York. So random! Anyway, here is this week's Former Debut. And guess what! She has a new book that just came out yesterday! Happy Book Release, Denise!

PJH: Okay, so it’s been two years since you graduated from your debut class. Personally, I miss the heck out of knowing what my classmates are up to. So give us the low-down. What have you been up to in the last few years? New books? New degrees? New pets? What has been going on, and what do we have to look forward to from you in the future?

DJ: I miss my classmates too! I’ve been busy working on new novels. My latest one, NEVER ENOUGH, is out this month. It’s the story of two sisters and the eating disorder that threatens to destroy their family. I’m hard at work on a new YA contemporary romance/mystery. It’s called Foreign Exchange, and is about a girl who sneaks away from her class trip in Europe, along with her crush, to save her best friend from the dark world of modeling. I’m really excited about that one! I’ve also started delving into a bit of non-fiction, and will be releasing a mini-book on writing grief in fiction very soon. Keep your eyes open for that one!

PJH: If you could summarize to a debut novelist the best part of being a member of an author group like the “Class of” groups, what would you say?

DJ: You mean I’m not allowed to write a whole book about it? Because I could, believe me! There are SO MANY little things along the way to publication that I had questions about. I can’t tell you the peace it gave me to be able to call upon my classmates and ask. We also planned some wonderful excursions as a group, garnering far more attention than any unknown author would gain singly. I cannot recommend joining a class enough!

PJH: Though I absolutely loved being a debut author, I’m really thrilled with all the experience I’ve gained since. What advice would you give to those who are debuting now? What do you wish you had known when you started out?

DJ: To be honest, I feel like everyone has to walk the road for themselves. I read plenty of advice, but I didn’t clue in to how true it was until I myself was through that rocky first year full of ups and downs. I guess the only thing I can say is that we all go through the victories and disappointments and survive on the other side. Your life will get back to some semblance of normal. I promise!

PJH: In addition to writing the next mega-million bestselling novel, what do you want to accomplish in the next five years? Do you want to write five more books? Get your black belt in Kung Fu? Walk the Great Wall of China? Let’s hear it.

DJ: I’m actually okay if I don’t write the next bestselling novel. I’ve seen several people who have, and there’s a lot of pressure that comes with that. I want to keep enjoying writing, most of all. I’d love to put a new book out every year or two, and spend lots of time with my family.

PJH: Anything else you want to add? Five reasons to read your book? A picture of your writing space? How you celebrated when you signed your contract? Your choice!

DJ: I’d love to tell you a little about why I wrote this book, and why I write in general. I started NEVER ENOUGH about seven years ago. At the time I had a good friend who was struggling with a severe eating disorder, and I didn’t know what to do for her. It seemed like everything I said or did was the wrong thing. I decided to write about some characters struggling with similar things so I could understand her better and so our communication could be deeper. And that’s also a big part of why I write in general. I want to have deeper communication with people. I want to understand them more and connect with them on a level that I think we don’t always reach in everyday conversation. I feel like I know so much more about people and about myself from the process of writing fiction.

PJH: Thank you so much for being here! And good luck with everything in the future!

DJ: Thank YOU, Tricia!!

***

Bio: Denise Jaden is, or has been, everything from a professional Polynesian dancer and fitness competitor to a mushroom farmer and church secretary. Most of her time now is spent homeschooling or playing with her eight year old son or in front of her computer writing.
Denise Jaden's writing has appeared in Mississippi Crow Magazine (Spring, 2008)
The Greensilk Journal (Fall 2007), and The Tidepool Fiction Ezine (Spring, 2009). Her first novel for teens, LOSING FAITH, was released from Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster in September 2010, with her next one, NEVER ENOUGH, out in July 2012.
She lives just outside Vancouver, Canada with her husband and son.

***

Thanks for helping me celebrate former debuts! And if you are a former debut and are interested in being featured,check out this post here!

Sunday, July 08, 2012

I am entering the world of being totally spoiled now that I have a couple books coming out from Tor. I email and ask nicely for a book, and magically it comes in the mail. I love that. So of course I put this book on the top of my list!

1) It is the most I have ever laughed aloud while reading a book. Seriously, no matter where I was, I could not stop myself from giggling. And it's not just the plot. It's the...

2) ...dialogue. We're talking the characters banter back and forth and say the funniest things. And there is no reason to be a sci-fi nerd to appreciate this banter. It's just plain funny adult humor. It reminds me of talking with my co-workers back when I was still at the engineering job. *love*

4) You are looking for a book with surprising depth. Seriously, the main bulk of the book was just funny. And then it got all serious and really surprised the heck out of me and made me think about life, the universe, and everything.

5) You're kind of tired of books taking themselves so seriously. You want to just step back and enjoy a book. You don't want to think about the writing. You want to get lost in a great book.

As a total first for me, I loved this book so much, I am next going to listen to the audiobook version (which has Wil Wheaton narrating). This book goes on my best reads of the year for sure. I only wish I could dive into the world and become a part of it. What fun! Highly recommended!

(are you convinced yet?)

Source of book: From publisher by request

From Amazon:Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It’s a prestige posting, and Andrew is thrilled all the more to be assigned to the ship’s Xenobiology laboratory.
Life couldn’t be better…until Andrew begins to pick up on the fact that (1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces, (2) the ship’s captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations, and (3) at least one low-ranked crew member is, sadly, always killed.
Not surprisingly, a great deal of energy below decks is expendedon avoiding, at all costs, being assigned to an Away Mission. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues’ understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is…and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own lives.